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Bif Naked

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Birth name
  
Beth Torbert

Name
  
Bif Naked

Also known as
  
Beth Hopkins

Spouse
  
Ian Walker (m. 2007–2011)

Genres
  
Rock, pop, pop punk

Movies
  
Crossing, Is It Fall Yet?

Instruments
  
Vocals, guitar, bass


Bif Naked infotelcanewsmedialibraryimageorigmediaitemi

Born
  
June 15, 1971 (age 52) New Delhi, Delhi, India (
1971-06-15
)

Origin
  
Occupation(s)
  
Singer-songwriter, actress, motivational speaker

Role
  
Singer-songwriter · bifnaked.com

Albums
  
I Bificus, Superbeautifulmonster, Essentially Naked, The Promise, Purge

Profiles

Bif naked bio


Beth Torbert (born June 15, 1971) is an Indian-born Canadian singer-songwriter, actress, and motivational speaker best known by her stage name Bif Naked.

Contents

Behind The Vinyl: "Spaceman" with Bif Naked


Early life and education

Bif Naked was born in New Delhi to teenaged parents attending private school. She was subsequently adopted by American missionaries. She spent part of her childhood in Lexington, Kentucky, where her father was a professor at the University of Kentucky. She went to Kelsey Elementary School in The Pas, Manitoba for a couple of years. After living for a time in Dauphin, Manitoba, her family eventually settled in Winnipeg. She graduated from John Taylor Collegiate and studied theatre at the University of Winnipeg.

The name Bif started as a nickname based on the mispronunciation of her real name, Beth.

Career

Solo albums include the self-titled album, Bif Naked, released in 1996, I Bificus in 1998 and Purge, released in 2001. A noted poet, she has also released a spoken word album called Okenspay Ordway: Things I Forgot To Tell Mommy. In 2005, after narrowing it down from over 50 songs, she released Superbeautifulmonster, which featured 13 tracks. The Promise, which was recorded while Bif was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, was released in 2009 and was dedicated to her fans. The album featured tracks mixed by Juno Award winner Mike Fraser. In 2011, after doing acoustic sets on tour, Bif released acoustic record on Her Royal Majesty's Records and in Canada Reliant Music late 2013, featuring acoustic versions of her past songs as well as four previously unreleased tracks. The album is entitled BIF NAKED FOREVER: Acoustic Hits and Other Delights. Also due out, Bif's previously promised side project, Jakkarta.

Prior to her solo career, Torbert played with punk bands Gorilla Gorilla and Chrome Dog. She has toured Europe, the United States, and Canada as a headlining act, and has performed on bills with Snoop Dogg, Billy Idol, Dido, Devin Townsend, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde, Foo Fighters, The Cult and more.

Bif's music has been featured in and on soundtracks for shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Moonlight, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, Ready To Rumble, "The West Wing" and Celebrity Deathmatch. She recorded a rendition of the Christmas classic, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" for MTV's Total Request Live CD MTV: TRL Christmas in 1999 and was also featured on the Ready to Rumble soundtrack with a cover of Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It". The song "Dawn", taken from Purge, was featured in the movie American Psycho 2, starring Mila Kunis and William Shatner.

She made a guest appearance in the song "Fucker", on Strapping Young Lad's album The New Black in 2006. Bif Naked has also made guest appearances with artists such as SNFU on the songs "One Last Loveshove" and "You Make Me Thick". She also appeared on the Dead Celebrity Status album Blood Music on the track titled "In This Day And Age". In 2011, she recorded a duet with Vancouver yogi and Nettwerk recording artist Will Blunderfield for the international version of his album Hallelujah.

Bif Naked has also appeared in music videos for other artists including The Offspring's "The Kids Aren't Alright", "Believe Me" and "Silver" by Moist and Liveonrelease's "Get with It." In 2009, she appeared in the video for Simple Plan's "Save You" near the end along with other people (such as Sharon Osbourne and René Angélil) who have survived or have been treated for cancer.

Aside from her music career, Bif has also pursued acting. In 1990, she appeared in the film Archangel, where she was credited as "Bif Torbert," playing a Russian soldier. In 1997, she played a liquor store manager in The Boys Club. She appeared in the television series Once a Thief in 1998, playing Nastassja Momomame. In 2000, she voiced the character Alison in the Daria movie, Is It Fall Yet?, playing a bisexual art camp attendee who attempts to seduce Jane Lane. She appeared in the Canadian indie films Lunch with Charles (2001) and Crossing (2005), the latter of which she recorded the song "My Greatest Masterpiece" for. She has done hosting work for the CBC Television series ZeD (becoming their first host in 2002), and for Bodog, hosting Bodog Fight in 2006 as well as a reality series chronicling the days leading up to her marriage with Vancouver Sun sports writer, Ian Walker, in 2007 called Bif Naked Bride. She voiced the character Zoe Payne in the SSX video game series and Sled Storm. In 2003, she made a cameo appearance in the zombie horror film The House of the Dead. That same year, she appeared as a judge of a fictitious reality show in the TV series Cold Squad. In 2006, she guest starred on an episode of The L Word, playing a character named Cynthia. In addition, Bif Naked has appeared as herself in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven and The Chris Isaak Show. Bif Naked also narrated the TV series That's Art?! (2012).

Personal life

She is heavily tattooed, getting her first, an Egyptian Eye of Horus, when she was 16. Her tattoos include a symbol of the Tao, Japanese writing, Buddhist poetry and images (such as the Bodhisattva), and Hindu imagery; she has stated on MTV that her favorite tattoo, on her left arm, reads "Survivor." Bif identifies as straight-edge. She is also a comic cartoonist.

She has always been frank about her bisexuality, and the lyrics of her autobiographical songs (such as 1995's "Everything") detail her attractions to and relationships with women. She is also a vegan for health (as opposed to ethical or religious) reasons.

She was diagnosed with a heart aneurysm, but corrective surgery was ruled out. Her song "Everyday," from her album Superbeautifulmonster, is in part a response to that experience.

Her first marriage, which lasted six months, was to her drummer. She then married former Vancouver Sun sports writer Ian Walker in 2007; they divorced in 2011.

In January 2008, she announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent a lumpectomy and chemotherapy.

Bif Naked spoke at the University of the Fraser Valley for International Women's Day on March 8, 2013, at the Abbotsford campus in British Columbia, Canada; it was announced she would be awarded an honorary doctorate from the university in June 2013.

In 2015, she became engaged to Steve Allen, a friend of her former bandmate Jacen Ekstrom. They married on July 30, 2016.

Current lineup

  • Bif Naked – vocals, background vocals
  • Jason Darr (Out of Your Mouth/Neurosonic) – guitar
  • Chiko Misomali - drums, background vocals
  • Alleycat Artico - guitar
  • Past members

  • Machine (aka Steve Ricardo) - guitar
  • XFactor (aka Gene Poole, co-writer of "Chotee") - – guitar
  • Chris Crippin (Everything After/Hedley) – drums
  • Gail Greenwood (Belly/L7) – bass
  • Jacen Ekstrom (Neurosonic/CrashScene) - bass (deceased)
  • Gillian Hanna – guitar (deceased)
  • Britt Black – guitar
  • Rich Priske – bass
  • Mike Sage – drums
  • Doug Fury (now in Scatterheart) - guitar, bass
  • Scotty McCarger - drums
  • Scott Cooke - bass
  • Tim Smyth - bass
  • Greg Mark - (Juno nominated Vancouver psychedelic pop band Templar) - guitar
  • Lamar Engel - (Vocalist/Musician for art rock band An Opiate For Angels) - bass
  • Sean Stubbs - drums
  • Adam (ATOM) Percy (Econoline Crush) - keyboards
  • John Bates (Big John Bates) - guitar
  • Corrine Culbertson CoCo - bass
  • Joe Veltri - bass
  • Political activism

    On June 26, 2009, Bif Naked and Nazanin Afshin-Jam participated in the worldwide solidarity with the people of Iran. They performed the song Someday.

    Studio albums

  • Bif Naked – 1995
  • I Bificus – 1998 (CRIA - Platinum)
  • Purge – 2001 (CRIA - Gold)
  • Superbeautifulmonster – 2005 (#12 CAN)
  • The Promise - 2009 (#30 CAN)
  • EPs and compilations

  • Four Songs and a Poem – 1994
  • Okenspay Ordway: Things I Forgot To Tell Mommy – 1997
  • Another 5 Songs and a Poem – 2000
  • Essentially Naked – 2003
  • Bif Naked Forever: Acoustic Hits & Other Delights - 2012
  • Music videos

  • "Everything" (1994)
  • "My Whole Life"
  • "Tell on You"
  • "Never Alone"
  • "Daddy's Getting Married" (directed by William Morrison 1996)
  • "Spaceman"
  • "Lucky"
  • "Moment of Weakness" (1999) (directed by Marcos Siega)
  • "We're Not Gonna Take It"
  • "Chotee"
  • "Twitch" (1999)
  • "I Love Myself Today"
  • "Tango Shoes"
  • "Choking in the Truth"
  • "Back in the Day"
  • "Rich and Filthy"
  • "Let Down"
  • "Nothing Else Matters"
  • "Everyday"
  • "My Greatest Masterpiece" (2007)
  • "Fuck You 2" (2009)
  • "Sick" (2009)
  • "King of Karma" (2009)
  • Filmography

    Actress
    -
    The Flower Shop (pre-production) as
    Hedy
    2022
    WTF is Wrong with Fishing? (Short) as
    Narrator (voice)
    2020
    Bif Naked: Jim (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2020
    Letters from Caregivers (TV Mini Series)
    - Virginia (2020)
    2017
    Bif Naked Feat. Snake and the Chain: Heavy (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked / The Orphan
    2014
    Bif Naked: The Only One (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2010
    False Creek Stories (Short) as
    Sierra
    2009
    Bif Naked: Fuck You 2 (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2009
    Bif Naked: King of Karma (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2009
    Bif Naked: Sick (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2007
    Bif Naked: My Greatest Masterpiece (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2007
    Crossing as
    Bernie
    2006
    The L Word (TV Series) as
    Cynthia
    - Light My Fire (2006) - Cynthia
    2005
    Bif Naked: Everyday (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2005
    Bif Naked: Let Down (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2005
    Bif Naked: Moment of Weakness (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2005
    Bif Naked: Nothing Else Matters (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2004
    Cold Squad (TV Series) as
    Bif Naked
    - Teen Angel (2004) - Bif Naked
    2003
    Bif Naked: Back in the Day (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2003
    Bif Naked: Choking in the Truth (Music Video short) as
    Bif Naked
    2003
    Bif Naked: Rich and Filthy (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2003
    Edgemont (TV Series)
    - Two Minutes to Midnight (2003)
    2003
    SSX 3 (Video Game) as
    Zoe Payne (voice)
    2003
    House of the Dead as
    DJ
    2002
    Tango Shoes (Music Video short) as
    Bif Naked
    2001
    Bif Naked: I Love Myself Today (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked:
    2001
    SSX Tricky (Video Game) as
    Zoe Payne (voice)
    2001
    Lunch with Charles as
    Natasha
    2000
    Bif Naked: We're Not Gonna Take It (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    2000
    Daria in 'Is It Fall Yet?' (TV Movie) as
    Alison (voice)
    2000
    Best Actress (TV Movie) as
    Bif Naked
    1999
    Bif Naked: Twitch (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    1999
    The Offspring: The Kids Aren't Alright (Music Video) as
    Woman
    1999
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) as
    Lead Singer
    - The Harsh Light of Day (1999) - Lead Singer (uncredited)
    1999
    Sled Storm (Video Game) as
    Zoe Payne (PS2 version, voice)
    1998
    Bif Naked: Chotee (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    1998
    Bif Naked: Lucky (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    1998
    Bif Naked: Spaceman (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    1998
    The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (TV Series) as
    Bif Naked
    - Like It's 1999 (1998) - Bif Naked
    1998
    Once a Thief (TV Series) as
    Nastassja Momomamet
    - Kangaroo Court (1998) - Nastassja Momomamet
    1996
    Bif Naked: Daddy's Getting Married (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    1996
    The Boys Club as
    Liquor Store Manager
    1995
    Bif Naked: My Whole Life (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    1995
    Bif Naked: Tell on You (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    1994
    Bif Naked: Everything (Music Video) as
    Bif Naked
    1990
    Archangel as
    Russian Soldier (as Biff Tolbert)
    Composer
    2007
    Bif Naked Bride (Video documentary short)
    2003
    Essentially Naked (Video short)
    2000
    We All Fall Down
    Music Department
    2018
    Staunch T.V. (TV Series documentary) (music - 1 episode)
    - The Boys Club (Staunch on Film #7) (2018) - (music)
    1996
    The Boys Club (music)
    Soundtrack
    -
    Staunch T.V. (TV Series documentary) (performer - 1 episode, 2018) (writer - 1 episode, 2018)
    - The Boys Club (Staunch on Film #7) (2018) - (performer: "The Letter" - uncredited) / (writer: "The Letter" - uncredited)
    2008
    Moonlight (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
    - Fated to Pretend (2008) - (performer: "Lucky")
    2006
    Scarface: The World Is Yours (Video Game) (performer: "All I Want")
    2002
    Birds of Prey (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
    - Prey for the Hunter (2002) - (performer: "Leader" - uncredited)
    2002
    American Psycho II: All American Girl (Video) (performer: "Dawn")
    2001
    SSX Tricky (Video Game) (performer: "Leader")
    2001
    Lunch with Charles (performer: "Parting Glass", "Closer to You", "No Mystery at All")
    -
    Roswell (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 2000) (writer - 1 episode, 2000)
    - Skin and Bones (2000) - (performer: "Lucky" - uncredited) / (writer: "Lucky" - uncredited)
    2000
    WCW Monday Nitro (TV Series) (performer - 2 episodes)
    - Episode #5.33 (2000) - (performer: "We're Not Gonna Take It")
    - Episode #5.32 (2000) - (performer: "We're Not Gonna Take It")
    2000
    Ready to Rumble (performer: "We're Not Gonna Take It")
    -
    Charmed (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 2000) (writer - 1 episode, 2000)
    - Murphy's Luck (2000) - (performer: "Lucky") / (writer: "Lucky")
    -
    Daria (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 2000) (writer - 1 episode, 2000)
    - Partner's Complaint (2000) - (performer: "Any Day Now") / (writer: "Any Day Now")
    -
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 1999) (writer - 1 episode, 1999)
    - The Harsh Light of Day (1999) - (performer: "Lucky", "Anything", "Moment of Weakness") / (writer: "Anything")
    -
    The West Wing (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode, 1999) (writer - 1 episode, 1999)
    - Pilot (1999) - (performer: "Moment of Weakness") / (writer: "Moment of Weakness")
    1999
    Anywhere But Here (performer: "Chotee") / (writer: "Chotee")
    1999
    Better Than Chocolate (performer: "My Whole Life") / (writer: "My Whole Life")
    1998
    Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms (TV Movie) (performer: "Spaceman") / (writer: "Spaceman")
    1996
    Joe's So Mean to Josephine ("Succulent") / (performer: "Succulent")
    1996
    The Boys Club (performer: "The Letter") / (writer: "The Letter")
    1994
    Whale Music (performer: "Succulent") / (writer: "Succulent")
    Writer
    2003
    Essentially Naked (Video short)
    Producer
    2003
    Essentially Naked (Video short) (producer)
    Thanks
    2003
    Maximum Surge (TV Movie) (special thanks)
    Self
    -
    Bif Naked: One of a Kind (Documentary) (filming) as
    Self
    -
    One Life No Regrets (Documentary) (post-production) as
    Self
    2023
    Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe (Documentary) as
    Self
    2022
    Doug and the Slugs and Me (Documentary) as
    Self
    2020
    Global News Morning BC (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer and Songwriter (Via Zoom) / Self - Musician (via Skype)
    - Health Matters: The importance of mental health awareness; Web series shines a light on caregiving and mental health (2022) - Self - Singer and Songwriter (Via Zoom)
    - Episode dated 24 August 2020 (2020) - Self - Musician (via Skype)
    2020
    Letters from Caregivers (TV Mini Series) as
    Self
    - Mark (2022) - Self
    - Yoko (2022) - Self
    - Shelley (2022) - Self
    - Marg (2022) - Self
    - Sabinder (2021) - Self
    - Dayna (2021) - Self
    - Carla (2021) - Self
    - Ferdous (2020) - Self
    - John (2020) - Self
    - Emily (2020) - Self
    2021
    Canada's Drag Race (TV Series) as
    Self - Guest Judge
    - Bye Flop (2021) - Self - Guest Judge
    2019
    Cypher (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Mitch (2021) - Self
    - Rami (2021) - Self
    - Shannon (2021) - Self
    - Nat (2021) - Self
    - Sorority (2019) - Self
    2020
    The Alt Pop Repeat Pop Culture Podcast (Podcast Series) as
    Self - Guest
    - Is Punk Dead? (2020) - Self - Guest (voice)
    2019
    The Freakin' Awesome Podcast (Podcast Series) as
    Self
    - Queen of Punk Bif Naked (a.k.a Dr. Naked) (2019) - Self
    2019
    Popternative (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Bif Naked (2019) - Self
    2018
    The Cure (Documentary) as
    Self
    2013
    Local Connection (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Local Connection at Art Knapp Plantland (2013) - Self
    2013
    The Scene: An Exploration of Music in Toronto (Documentary) as
    Self
    2012
    The Cupcake Girls (TV Series)
    - Lip Service (2012)
    2012
    Life & Style with Zara (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Music of the Soul (2012) - Self
    2007
    Bif Naked Bride (Video documentary short) as
    Self
    2007
    Bodog Music Battle of the Bands (TV Series) as
    Self
    2006
    BodogFight: USA vs. Russia (TV Special) as
    Self - Guest Announcer
    2005
    Video on Trial (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.6 (2005) - Self
    2005
    Popcultured (TV Series) as
    Self - Guest
    - Bif Naked (2005) - Self - Guest
    2005
    The Rick Mercer Report (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #2.7 (2005) - Self
    2004
    The 2nd Annual Western Canadian Music Awards (TV Special) as
    Self - Host
    2003
    2003 Much Music Video Music Awards (TV Special) as
    Self
    2002
    Edgemont (TV Series) as
    Self - Special Appearance
    - This One's for You (2002) - Self - Special Appearance
    2001
    Lilith on Top (Documentary) as
    Self
    2001
    The Chris Isaak Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - It's the Music, Stupid (2001) - Self
    2001
    Big Sound (TV Series) as
    Self
    - The Day the Music Croaked (2001) - Self
    2000
    Trackers (TV Series) as
    Self - Musical Guest
    - What's Hot in Music (2000) - Self - Musical Guest
    2000
    Pajama Party (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.13 (2000) - Self
    1999
    The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) as
    Self - Musical Guest
    - Episode #7.157 (1999) - Self - Musical Guest
    1998
    NightMan (TV Series) as
    Self - Special Appearance
    - The People's Choice (1998) - Self - Special Appearance
    1996
    1996 MuchMusic Video Music Awards (TV Special) as
    Self - Presenter
    Archive Footage
    2018
    Staunch T.V. (TV Series documentary) as
    Self
    - The Boys Club (Staunch on Film #7) (2018) - Self
    2013
    The Boys Club: Archers of Loaf - Harnessed in Slums (Music Video short) as
    Self
    2005
    The Offspring Complete Music Video Collection (Video) as
    Self (segment "The Kids Aren't Alright")
    2005
    The Rick Mercer Report (TV Series)
    - Episode #2.13 (2005)
    2003
    Essentially Naked (Video short) as
    Self

    References

    Bif Naked Wikipedia